Garth Crooks thinks Everton’s Maarten Stekelenburg looked shattered after his truly outstanding display on Saturday

Follow us on Google Discover

Garth Crooks has hailed Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

Garth Crooks

Pundit Garth Crooks has told BBC Sport that he felt Everton goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was ‘truly outstanding’ against Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.

Whilst City had dominated the game, Romelu Lukaku stunned many by smashing Everton into a shock lead, before substitute Nolito bagged an equaliser to secure a 1-1 draw against Ronald Koeman’s side.

Everton’s Maarten Stekelenburg saves a penalty from Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne

Lukaku’s goal caught the eye, but the undoubted star of the show was Everton goalkeeper Stekelenburg, who turned in a remarkable performance at the Etihad Stadium.

The Dutchman, 34, saved two penalties against City, with Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero both unable to beat Stekelenburg, whilst he also made a number of other saves to keep City at bay.

Stekelenburg has received plenty of plaudits since the final whistle on Saturday, and he’s certainly repaid Koeman’s faith in him having worked with him at both Ajax and Southampton.

Everton’s Maarten Stekelenburg applauds fans at full time

Now, pundit Garth Crooks has added his praise for Stekelenburg, telling BBC Sport that he felt the former Roma and Fulham shot stopper.

The former Tottenham striker suggested that Stekeleburg look ‘unbeatable’ in the Everton goal, and his general performance was even better than his two penalty saves.

Crooks added that Nolito’s equaliser may have come as a result of Stekelenburg’s fatigue having made so many saves, claiming that the goalkeeper looked ‘shattered’ at the final whistle.

Everton’s Maarten Stekelenburg

“Stekelenburg’s performance against Manchester City was truly outstanding,” said Crooks. “The 34-year-old’s penalty saves appeared routine, in comparison to his general performance. The goalkeeper’s display grew to such an extent you began to think the Dutchman was unbeatable.”

“The goal that eventually beat Stekelenburg from Manchester City’s Nolito seemed a result of fatigue because of the catalogue of saves he made throughout the match. At the end of the game he looked shattered,” he added.